A gene pool is the total collection of genes and alleles found in a population.
The term refers to the genetic variation available within an interbreeding population at a particular time. It includes different versions of genes, such as alleles that influence blood groups, pigmentation, or other inherited traits.
Evolution can change a gene pool when allele frequencies shift. Natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and migration can all contribute to those changes. A population with greater genetic variation may have more inherited material on which selection can act, although variation alone does not guarantee adaptation.
A gene pool is not the same as a genome. A genome is the complete genetic material of one organism or species reference, while a gene pool encompasses the alleles carried across a population. The concept is therefore population-level rather than individual-level.